How Breathing Coal Ash Is Hazardous to Your Health

Since the TVA Kingston, Tennessee, coal ash dam burst in 2008 spilling more than one billion gallons of toxic sludge across 300 acres, it seems there’s been an unfortunate—and avoidable—string of coal ash spills polluting U.S. waters, including Duke Energy’s spill into the Dan River in North Carolina this February. More than 200 sites nationwide have experienced coal ash polluting nearby lakes, streams and rivers. From contaminated drinking water sources to illegal dumping caught on hidden cameras , it’s clear: our waterways have been taking a beating from coal ash. But what about the air we breathe? Toxic coal ash dust at the Making Money Having Fun Landfill in Bokoshe, OK. Source: “Ash in Lungs: How Breathing Coal Ash is Hazardous to Your Health” “Coal ash contaminating water supplies is well known,” said Lisa Evans, senior administrative counsel at Earthjustice . “Our r...